Thursday, July 20, 2006

Bush vetoes stem cell bill, to scientists' dismay

President George W Bush has kept his promise to veto a bill supporting stem cell research, much to the dismay of scientists across the country and prominent members of his own Republican party.

The bill, which would have loosened restrictions on federal funding for stem cell research, had just received approval from the Senate by a vote of 63 to 37 (see Senate passes stem cell Act, but Bush may veto it) on Tuesday.

Following Bush's announcement of a veto, the issue went back to the US House of Representatives. But with 235 to 193 votes in favour of overturning the veto, the House’s vote still fell short of the two-thirds majority needed.

US scientists have argued that the lack of federal funding for studies on new types of stem cells has hindered the development of potentially life-saving therapies. Stem cell research is considered by experts as promising for the treatment of illnesses such as Parkinson's disease and diabetes. >> moreIt seems to me, people like this are only willing to step into the unknown when it affects their lives directly. If it was his son, wife, father, mother, brother or friend who could benefit from this research, i'm sure he would be all for it. Stupid prick!